Charles Corbin is tough inside

Senior Charles Corbin ranks seventh on Winthrop's career rebounds list with 627 heading into tonight's game with VMI. He needs 11 more to surpass Eddie Gay and 26 to catch Tim Raxter.

"Charles has had a career of up and down moments," Winthrop coach Randy Peele said this week. "Even with two suspensions, he will be one of the top five rebounds in Winthrop history."

Corbin came to Winthrop from Griffin High School in Georgia, where he averaged 20 points and 11 boards as a senior. He started 29 games as a freshman for the Eagles. As a sophomore, he split time as a starter and a sixth man off the bench. His junior season included just one start.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward has tried to expand his game and his shooting range for three years. Peele might have preferred to see Corbin concentrate on his inside game to help the team in that area.

Corbin wants the ball late in games and is proving to be dependable in those circumstances. He hit a game-winning 3-pointer to beat Gardner-Webb, 60-57, on Feb. 3. He hit another 3 in the following game to jump start the Eagles second-half in a big win at UNC Asheville.

Those were good results from behind the arc, but he is just a 25 percent deep ball shooter for his career.

Peele likes the fact that Corbin has posted nine double-doubles this season. Peele has needed Corbin's inside presence and consistent scoring. Corbin has scored 10 or more points in his last 13 games. He matched his career-high with 15 rebounds at High Point on Feb. 15.

"He does some things that frustrate me," Peele said.

But the two seem to have found a happy medium. Corbin hasn't attempted a 3-pointer in the last three outings.

Corbin commands attention in games and in practice. So it was tough for him to sit out the first eight games this season due to a suspension. He returned on Dec. 12 to help the team beat Jacksonville, 73-66.

He leads by example. Late in Thursday's 61-56 win over Liberty, he told his teammates to give him the ball.

"I'm a senior. Seniors make plays at the end of games. That's what I'm supposed to do," Corbin figured.

And he did. He made three key free throws in the final 34 seconds.

"He makes a difference for us on the glass," Peele said. "His confidence and toughness are his greatest strengths. We will miss his physicality next year."